Serving up lunch

Fetterman, a lead kitchen volunteer for The Salvation Army in Grand Haven, serves campers from the Northwest Ottawa Recreation Authority as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, which started this week.

Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at The Salvation Army, 310 N. Despelder St. in Grand Haven. Capt. Sally Davis said the program runs through Aug. 15.

So far, they have fed an average of 55 children each day, Davis said.

Each morning, Davis or a volunteer picks up meals from Orchard View Schools, which oversees the Grand Haven satellite location. Tami Anderson, administrative assistant with Chartwells Dining Services at Orchard View Schools, said they oversee 10 sites in Muskegon, Holton and Grand Haven.

Sites that offer breakfast serve an average of 514 meals a week, and roughly 1,500 lunches are served per week at the West Michigan sites. Anderson said they’ve offered the program for several years.

“I think it’s great that it’s available to kids,” she said.

The program’s meals follow federal guidelines. Sites serving breakfast must offer one serving each of milk, fruit or vegetable, and grains/bread. Lunch and dinner options include one serving each of milk, meat or meat alternative, grains/bread, fruit, and a vegetable, or two servings of either a fruit or vegetable.

Although they serve campers, Davis said they also serve walk-in children at no charge. If campers are on a field trip, a lunch will still be served at The Salvation Army for community children.

“I think it’s just wonderful that we can make sure children get a hot, nutritious meal,” Davis said. “I think it means everything. I think it’s a real blessing to be part of this.”

For more information about The Salvation Army’s program or to volunteer, call 616-842-3380.

CLICK HERE for a map of locations participating in the Summer Food Service Program.